Moving on down river

On Thursday I failed almost completely to illustrate our activity, so you will just have to believe me when I say we walked all the round Evesham's river front (it's a deep U shape), past the chain ferry
 and then up over the hill at the back of town, past several plum orchards, and onto the site of the Battle of Evesham.. 1265, in the 2nd Barons' War, since you ask, between Henry 3rd and Prince Edward against Simon de Montfort, who died there along with 14 of his knights and many, many others, in what a contemporary report said was 'the Murder of Evesham,  for it was no battle.'
And then I explored the charity shops and returned laden with goodies. Hurrah!

Up bright and early-ish for a four and 1/2 hour cruise to Pershore.
Still blissed out by this gorgeous river although a complete not spot. Normally our WiFi can manage with the weakest of mobile signals but it's given up completely. 
A reminder that river water is to be respected:
and locks, too:
An unusual lock at the quite seriously named Wyre Piddle:
designed that way to get rid of excess water downstream.  Another idyllic spot: Fladbury Lock. 
Before long our next mooring came into view:
Yet another lovely view to starboard 
and to port.
After lunch we ambled in to inspect the town: facades at least mostly Georgian, most harmonious. Hard to get in a photo but here is a side street.
And the remains of the Abbey:
All that's left is the quire and half the crossing. The nave would have stretched away from where the buttresses are now.

Next, a supermarket visit, mere yards from the boat so a good stock up is in order.  Dinner then was at a pub called the Pickled Plum, pleasant surroundings, decent pub grub though we are aware that our standards have been lifted by the Eaterie at Bidford.

A hot, humid day with possible rain later was forecast
 so up and away on Saturday morning. We were soon joined by our neighbour back at Stratford, nb Little Plum, who as a single hander was even more pleased than we were to have a lock buddy. Three locks today and a guaranteed berth at Tewkesbury Marina.

We are dropping down from the hills now.
Lots of folk out enjoying the river, and one charming village well back from the bank after another. 

The odd pub, and then the M5
Still no sign of rain as we arrived at Tewkesbury Marina.. really hot though.
Andrew feeling fagged out so I got on with the laundry while he rested. 
A snug spot.
As the afternoon drew on the clouds gathered and sprouted, to wind up with a thunderstorm and refreshing rain while we had dinner on board.
This is our last night on the Avon: tomorrow we join the Severn and head upstream to Worcester. It's been magic.

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